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  #1  
Old 05-04-2019, 11:10 PM
GrocMax GrocMax is offline
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Default Forming 17FB from 221FB and die preference

(Also posted on 6mmbr.com)

For you veterans of forming 17FB from 221FB, what is your preference?

2 basic differences between 17FB and 221FB are the shoulder angle (30 vs. 23) and the shoulder diameter (17FB is ~.005" larger).

Use the 221FB bushing die and leave the shoulder a sloppy fit, or finish with the 17FB die and let the shoulder mushroom?

Is there a consensus on the best method?

Last edited by GrocMax; 05-04-2019 at 11:40 PM.
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  #2  
Old 05-05-2019, 12:03 AM
Bill K Bill K is offline
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All I do is form 221fb cases down in my 20vt bushing die, getting the .224 neck down to 204. Then I size those down to 17 fb by running them into my 17fb sizing die. load and shoot them to fit the 17fb chamber. Bill K
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Old 05-05-2019, 12:11 AM
GrocMax GrocMax is offline
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BillK-

Thanks. I'm trying to leave the cases full length, but its sorta kinda looking like its impossible and a final pass in the 17FB die is necessary to bump the upper shoulder area. The 221FB die the upper case is a little better supported and shortening is lessened a bit during the neck down steps. All I have is RCBS 17FB and 221FB FL bushing dies.
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Old 05-05-2019, 12:51 AM
Bill K Bill K is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GrocMax View Post
BillK-

Thanks. I'm trying to leave the cases full length, but its sorta kinda looking like its impossible and a final pass in the 17FB die is necessary to bump the upper shoulder area. The 221FB die the upper case is a little better supported and shortening is lessened a bit during the neck down steps. All I have is RCBS 17FB and 221FB FL bushing dies.
If you have a 221fb bushing die, just switch out and use a smaller 20 cal (.227 would work) bushing for taking them down. Then move onto to your 17 bushing die. Bill K
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Old 05-05-2019, 01:34 AM
GrocMax GrocMax is offline
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I like to go in about .015"-.020" steps, takes 3 steps in this case. Have bushings.
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Old 05-05-2019, 01:45 AM
JSH JSH is offline
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I did virgin 221, decap/expander out of the 221 die and run full length cam over.
Then into the FL 17FB die with decap/expander out. I did as you mention and kind of snuck up on the neck a few steps at a time until I got to FL in the 17FB.

My chamber is pretty snug. Time will tell on case life.

FYI 6TCU rig makes me happy every outing. :-)
Jeff
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Old 05-05-2019, 02:19 AM
GrocMax GrocMax is offline
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I started mushrooming the shoulder even with lotsa lube and small neckdown steps in the 17 die, was a little concerned. Seems to work pretty good to neck down in the 221 die then bump the top of the shoulder as a final step in the 17 die. Fireformed one about 30 min ago looks good, won't need to turn necks, no donut, only lost ~.010" in case length.
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Old 05-05-2019, 03:00 AM
Bill K Bill K is offline
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Slow and steady and just adjust your die/s and you will learn and have it going and then you will be all set. Bill K
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Old 05-05-2019, 05:22 AM
GrocMax GrocMax is offline
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I had a heck of a time finding ammo boxes for the Fireball, don't like the tall 223 style that empty brass falls out of the slots. Berry's 50 count Hornet/30 carbines are perfect for fireball.
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  #10  
Old 05-05-2019, 03:51 PM
Johnly Johnly is offline
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I have a set of 17Mk4 forming dies I would be willing to loan you.
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